CarPlay Gets a Big Makeover with iOS 26: Widgets, Video Playback & a Sleek New Design

Apple’s iOS 26 is bringing the most significant CarPlay update in years—and it’s not just about aesthetics. From a redesigned interface to powerful new features like Live Activities, AirPlay video, and a more compact call UI, CarPlay is becoming smarter, sleeker, and more driver-friendly than ever.

A Fresh Look with Liquid Glass

CarPlay now adopts Apple’s new Liquid Glass design, matching the refined visuals found in iOS, macOS, and watchOS. The interface feels more fluid, with adaptive icons that respond to light and dark mode for a cleaner, more unified look across your Apple ecosystem.

Smarter, Safer Notifications

Incoming calls no longer hijack your entire screen. With iOS 26, calls appear as subtle banner alerts, so your navigation or media stays front and center. Messaging also gets a boost with:

• Tapbacks (thumbs-up, heart, etc.)

• Pinned conversations
  It’s closer to the iPhone experience, but optimized for safe, in-car use.

Widgets & Live Activities Come to the Dashboard

One of the standout updates: widgets and Live Activities are finally here. Now you can view:

• Weather conditions

• Calendar events

• Food delivery or rideshare status

• Battery percentage or charging progress (for EVs)

These elements update in real time and appear right on your CarPlay Dashboard. Apple ensures only driving-appropriate widgets appear, and developers don’t need to change existing iOS widgets for compatibility.

Better App Experiences Across the Board

App support in CarPlay is expanding with iOS 26:

• Audio apps can show live sports scores in Now Playing

• Navigation apps get multitouch gestures and support for metadata on secondary screens (like the instrument cluster)

• New app categories:

  • EV charging stations

  • Gas/fuel apps

  • Parking apps

  • Quick-service food ordering

This means more convenience without ever needing to pick up your phone.

In-Car Video & CarPlay Ultra

AirPlay video playback is also arriving—perfect for when you’re parked and waiting. Now you can stream content from your iPhone directly to the CarPlay screen. Think movie previews while your EV charges, or catching up on news while waiting curbside.

These enhancements aren’t just for regular CarPlay users. They’re also part of CarPlay Ultra, Apple’s next-gen car interface first launched with Aston Martin. CarPlay Ultra runs across multiple in-car displays, works wirelessly, and blends beautifully with each carmaker’s unique UI.

When Can You Get It?

All the new CarPlay features will be available this fall, bundled with the release of iOS 26.

iOS 26 supercharges CarPlay with a cleaner design, smarter notifications, useful widgets, and even in-car video streaming. Whether you drive a standard CarPlay car or one of the new CarPlay Ultra models, your dashboard is about to get a lot more Apple-like—and a lot more useful.